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When the Pittsburgh Steelers picked Pittsburgh running back James Conner in the third round of last weekend's NFL draft, former Steeler and current free agent DeAngelo Williams knew right away what it meant for him.

"When you take a running back in the first three rounds, that running back has an opportunity to play and they find ways to get him on the field," Williams said in an interview on ESPN 92.9 FM on Tuesday afternoon. "So the odds of me coming back are slim, but I'll always leave the door open, you know?"

Williams, the most decorated running back in University of Memphis history, joined midday hosts Jason Smith and John Martin to promote his upcoming appearance at the Mid-South Food Truck Festival at Tiger Lane outside Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on May 13. Williams is hosting, and participating in, a cornhole tournament at the event to benefit the DeAngelo Williams Foundation.

In the meantime, Williams is working his way through free agency following the expiration of his two-year contract with the Steelers. The 34-year-old told ESPN 92.9 FM that he loved his time in Pittsburgh and is not worried about finding a new home.

"I've heard from teams, man. I'm just taking my time. I'm in no rush," Williams said. "Real football doesn't start until training camp, man. The football that they're playing right now is spring ball, essentially, to a vet like myself. Football is football. It's just getting the terminology down, man. I've been in quite a few offenses so just picking up the terminology is all I'd have to do, because playing football is second nature at this point."

Originally drafted in the first round by the Carolina Panthers in 2006, Williams rushed for 343 yards on 98 carries in 2016 while backing up starter Le'Veon Bell. With Bell suspended for the first three games, Williams stepped up with big performances in the Pittsburgh's first two games: A 143-yard performance with two touchdowns in the opener against Washington, followed by 132 all-purpose yards and a receiving touchdown against Cincinnati.

Williams, who is entering his 12th season, did this despite being the oldest running back in the league last year. And when asked about the key to his longevity, he offered an interesting answer.

"Going to the University of Memphis," Williams told the radio station. "When you go to the University of Memphis — and I've told people time and time again — you have to grind. They teach you how to grind. And not only do they teach you how to grind, they teach you how to work. Because nothing comes easy when you come from the University of Memphis. Nothing comes easy. The education, the success that you get — you know that you've worked tooth and nail to get where you are. And that's, honestly, where I learned it from, man."

Williams' 8,096 rushing yards rank 48th all-time, and seventh among active players. He's eager to keep playing and build on those marks, even though he's not yet sure which jersey he'll be wearing while doing it.

"I don't know what the future holds for me, but I do know that I have some years left of football," Williams said. "I'm waiting on that job offer."